Philippines Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV)
Philippines PHL
The Philippines Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) is a permanent residency programme administered by the Philippine Retirement Authority for foreign nationals aged 35 and above, requiring a time deposit of $20,000 to $50,000 USD in a Philippine Retirement Authority-accredited bank depending on the applicant's age and pension status. The visa grants permanent multiple-entry residency status immediately upon approval, with no minimum annual stay requirement, and holders are exempt from obtaining re-entry permits. The deposit earns interest and may be used for approved investments in real estate after two years.
Program Details
- Category
- Retirement
- Processing Time
- 2 months
- Application Fee
- $1,400
- Minimum Income
- —
- Minimum Investment
- $20,000
- Family Included
- Spouse and up to two unmarried dependent children under 21 may be included; additional $15,000 deposit required per additional dependent beyond the first two
- Path to PR
- Yes — 0 years
- Path to Citizenship
- No
- Physical Presence
- No minimum annual stay requirement; visa is permanent and multiple-entry, valid as long as the deposit is maintained
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Tax Impact
- SRRV holders who spend 180+ days per year in the Philippines may become tax residents subject to Philippine income tax on Philippine-source income. Foreign pension income is generally exempt from Philippine income tax.
- Renewal Cost
- $360
Application Timeline
Apply
2mo processing
Visa Granted
Initial permit
Permanent Residency
After 0 years
Key Requirements
- ✓Age 35 or above
- ✓Required time deposit: $10,000 for those 50+ with pension, $20,000 for those 35–49 with pension, or $50,000 for those without a qualifying pension (all USD)
- ✓Proof of pension income of at least $800/month (individual) or $1,000/month (couple) — required for reduced deposit tiers
- ✓Deposit placed in a Philippine Retirement Authority-accredited bank
- ✓Valid passport
- ✓Clean criminal record (NBI clearance or equivalent from home country)
- ✓Medical certificate and health insurance
Am I eligible for Philippines Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV)?
Quick self-check based on the published criteria. Not legal advice. No data leaves your browser.
Minimum investment / capital
Programme requires $20,000.
Fill in the fields above to see a verdict.
This is a heuristic, not a determination. Final eligibility depends on full documentation and immigration-officer discretion.
Application Process — Step by Step
- 01
Determine which SRRV sub-type applies to you
home countryThe Philippines Retirement Authority (PRA) administers four SRRV sub-types: (1) SRRV Smile — for ages 35-49 with USD 20,000 deposit, or ages 50+ with USD 10,000 deposit (no pension required); (2) SRRV Classic — for ages 50+ with a pension of at least USD 800/month (USD 800/mo) plus USD 10,000 deposit; (3) SRRV Human Touch — for aged/ailing retirees requiring medical care; (4) SRRV Courtesy — for former Filipinos and current/former government officials. Most applicants choose Smile (younger, wealth-based) or Classic (pension-based retirees).
Typical duration: 1-2 weekssource ↗
- 02
Open a PRA-accredited bank account and deposit required funds
destinationOpen a time deposit account in a PRA-accredited Philippine bank (BDO, BPI, Metrobank, Philippine National Bank, or Land Bank). Deposit USD 20,000 (SRRV Smile ages 35-49), USD 10,000 (SRRV Smile ages 50+), or USD 10,000 (SRRV Classic with USD 800/mo pension). Obtain a bank certificate confirming the deposit. The deposit earns interest and remains in your account — it is not a fee but a maintained balance.
Typical duration: 1-2 weekssource ↗
- 03
Submit application to the Philippine Retirement Authority
destinationApply at the PRA head office in Makati, Manila, or through a PRA-accredited agent abroad. Required documents: PRA application form, valid passport, birth certificate (apostilled), police clearance from home country (apostilled), marriage certificate if applicable, medical certificate from PRA-accredited physician, and proof of pension for SRRV Classic. Pay PRA application fee of USD 1,400 (principal applicant) + USD 300 per dependent. Processing: 2-4 weeks.
Typical duration: 2-4 weekssource ↗
- 04
Obtain SRRV ID card and ACR I-Card
destinationAfter PRA approval, receive the Special Resident Retirees Visa (SRRV) and the PRA ID card. Register with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to obtain the Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card). The ACR I-Card confirms your legal immigrant status. SRRV is a permanent immigrant visa — no periodic renewal required as long as the deposit is maintained and PRA annual fee paid.
Typical duration: 2-4 weekssource ↗
Documents Required
| Document | Issued By | Apostille | Translate to | Validity (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valid passport (1 year minimum validity) | Home country | No | — | 365 |
| Birth certificate (original + apostille) | Home country civil registry | Yes | en | — |
| Police clearance / criminal background check (apostilled) | Home country police / national authority | Yes | en | 90 |
| Medical certificate from PRA-accredited physician | PRA-accredited physician in Philippines | No | — | 90 |
| Bank certificate of PRA-accredited time deposit (USD 10,000 or USD 20,000) | PRA-accredited Philippine bank | No | — | 30 |
| Marriage certificate (if applicable, apostilled) | Home country civil registry | Yes | en | — |
| Proof of pension (USD 800/mo) — for SRRV Classic only | Pension authority / bank statement | No | — | 90 |
| Passport-size photos | Self | No | — | — |
| PRA application form | Philippine Retirement Authority | No | — | — |
Realistic Costs
Some figures below are industry estimates rather than officially verified: lawyer_fee_low, lawyer_fee_high, health_insurance_first_year, total_first_year_low, total_first_year_high.
Does not include the required bank deposit (USD 10,000 or USD 20,000) — this remains your own money earning interest and is refundable on visa cancellation. PRA annual fee: USD 360/yr (principal) + USD 100/yr per dependent. ACR I-Card fee approx. PHP 5,000 (~USD 90). PRA dependent fees: USD 300 per person at application.
Realistic Timeline
- Consulate wait1–4 weeks
- Decision → arrival2 weeks
- Residence card issuance4 weeks
- Total to residence card6–14 weeks
PRA processing after document submission typically 2-4 weeks in Makati. Apostille preparation in home country often the longest step (2-6 weeks depending on country). Overall process from decision to SRRV ID: 2-4 months.
Renewal
- First renewal after
- 9999 months
- Subsequent cycle
- 12 months
- Renewal fee
- $360
- Requirements
- SRRV is a permanent immigrant visa — the visa itself does not expire. Annual PRA membership fee of USD 360/yr (principal) + USD 100/yr per dependent must be paid to maintain active status. Bank deposit must remain at required level. ACR I-Card renewal every 5 years (~PHP 5,000). Failure to pay annual fee results in visa cancellation.
Path to Permanent Residency — Details
- Years required
- 0
- Integration test
- Not required
- Application fee
- $1,400
Path to Citizenship — Details
- Years required
- 10
- Language test
- No
- Civic test
- Not required
- Oath
- Required
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
Tax Residency
- Trigger
- 180 days/year of presence
- Taxation scope
- Territorial (in-country only)
- Exit-tax country
- No
Special regimes
- Philippines Territorial Taxation for Non-Residents and SRRV Holders0% on foreign-sourced income
SRRV holders are generally treated as non-resident aliens engaged in trade or business, or non-resident aliens not engaged in trade/business, depending on activity. Philippines uses a territorial system: income sourced outside the Philippines is NOT taxed in the Philippines for most SRRV holders who are not engaged in Philippine business.
source ↗
Health Insurance
- Mandatory
- No
- Public system access
- After 0 months
Examples: PhilHealth (voluntary enrollment), Cigna Global, Pacific Cross, AXA Philippines, Maxicare
Family Specifics
- Spouse work rights
- Dependent spouse on SRRV gets permanent immigrant status but does NOT receive work rights. Employment requires a separate Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment).
- Child school enrolment
- Dependent children on SRRV can enroll in Philippine schools. International schools in Metro Manila: International School Manila, Brent International School, British School Manila — annual tuition USD 8,000-22,000.
- Parent inclusion
- Not eligible
- Sibling inclusion
- Not eligible
Gotchas — Things to Watch For
- ⚠The bank deposit is yours and earns interest — but you cannot withdraw it while your SRRV is active; it is a maintained balance requirement
- ⚠Annual PRA fee (USD 360/yr) is non-negotiable — missing payments leads to visa cancellation
- ⚠SRRV does not grant the right to work in the Philippines — employment requires a separate work permit
- ⚠Philippines has a strict "balikbayan" privilege for former Filipinos, but SRRV is for foreigners — the two are different programs
- ⚠ACR I-Card must be renewed every 5 years — do not forget or you face overstay fines even with valid SRRV
- ⚠The medical certificate requirement means applicants with serious pre-existing conditions may be rejected under SRRV Human Touch sub-type — check with PRA first
- ⚠Foreigners cannot own land in the Philippines (only condominiums up to 40% foreign ownership building cap, or via long-term lease) — SRRV does not change property ownership rules
What This Visa Does NOT Allow
- ×Employment or working for a Philippine employer — requires separate Alien Employment Permit (AEP)
- ×Land ownership (foreigners cannot own land in the Philippines regardless of visa type)
- ×Automatic tax residency — SRRV holders with no Philippine-source income are not required to file Philippine taxes
Common Rejection Reasons
- •Bank deposit falls below required threshold (USD 10,000 or USD 20,000 depending on age/sub-type)
- •Police clearance not apostilled or more than 90 days old
- •Criminal record — particularly serious offences disqualify applicants
- •Medical certificate shows health conditions incompatible with program requirements
- •Pension proof insufficient or irregular for SRRV Classic applicants
- •Applicant under minimum age (35 for SRRV Smile; 50 for SRRV Classic)
- •Documents not translated to English or apostille chain incomplete
Recent Legislative Changes
2023-01-01
PRA updated SRRV Smile deposit requirements: Ages 35-49 require USD 20,000 deposit (unchanged). Ages 50+ reduced to USD 10,000 (previously USD 20,000 for non-pensioners). SRRV Classic remains USD 10,000 deposit with USD 800/mo pension. Annual fees unchanged at USD 360/yr principal.source ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the SRRV deposit amounts?+
SRRV Smile: USD 20,000 deposit for applicants aged 35-49; USD 10,000 deposit for ages 50 and over (no pension required). SRRV Classic: USD 10,000 deposit for ages 50+ who receive a pension of at least USD 800/month. The deposit is held in a PRA-accredited bank time deposit and remains your money — it earns interest and is refundable when you cancel the visa.
Can I work in the Philippines on an SRRV?+
No. The SRRV is a retirement/resident visa and does not grant work authorisation. To work legally in the Philippines, SRRV holders must apply for an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), which typically requires a qualifying job offer from a Philippine employer.
Is the SRRV a permanent visa?+
Yes. The SRRV is classified as a permanent immigrant visa — it does not expire. However, you must pay the annual PRA membership fee (USD 360/yr principal applicant) and maintain the required bank deposit to keep the visa active. ACR I-Card must be renewed every 5 years.
Good Fit For
Applying from a specific country? Your home-country tax rules, banking access, and dual-citizenship options affect every programme differently. Browse nationality guides → for tax obligations, renunciation rules, and second-passport routes.
Related Guides
Comparable Programs
Philippines Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV)
philippines · investment
Compare Philippines Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) vs Philippines Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV) →